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FoxFury Rook CheckMate (XM-L T6) Review

The Rook series was designed based on it's namesake, like the chess piece. However the word itself is based on the Persian word for Charoit (rokh). The significance of this is that those chariots were fortified to look like towers/turrets and as a result, likely influenced the evolution of the design of the modern Rook chess piece as we've come to know.

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder then subjectively, I feel it's an attractive design but let's see if it's only skin deep.

DESIGN / FEATURES
The Checkmate, like its Rook brethren, features one of the more unique designs adopted for flashlights and actually works quite well in an "art imitates life" sort of way as the head mimics the square turrets of yore (before they transitioned to round ones):

The CheckMate is the flagship in the Rook lineup and features a XM-L T6 LED that is perfectly centered via a white centering disc/LED holder:

Given the head is squared-shape, it provides very good anti-roll capability. With the appropriate bezel removal tool, the lens (non-AR coated) and super smooth reflector should be accessible:

Entrance to a brightly lit dungeon?

Nah, it's just one of the crenellations on the bezel which offers one of the most interesting beam profile when stood on its head:

The textured finish on the body is actually quite smooth and doesn't really provide much in the way of additional grip:

However, given the flared head and tail, it shouldn't really be a problem:
[pic]

The tube is on the shorter side but didn't have any problems accomodating my shortest or longest batteries (although I did hear a "twang" of the spring w/the longer battery):

There are springs at both ends that offer impact resistance for the battery and would allow the use of flat tops:(L: Head | R: Tail)
The tailcap features four prongs which allow it tailstand and given one can remove the head, you can truly use the CheckMate like a candle:
[pic]

The CheckMate can be disassembled into four pieces:
The light "engine" is easily accessible in rare departure from what seems to be common nowadays. This should bode well for modders looking to install a neutral XM-L, however, the tint is actually pretty good (more on this later).

The supplied holster fits the CheckMate snugly:
However, it's not easy to withdraw single-handed (sheathing is slightly easier once it's broken in) which may be a problem for LEO's who need quick access to the light.

In my tests, the wrist strap does its job but doesn't inspire the same confidence that a proper lanyard would:

The CheckMate runs about mid-pack of the 1x18650 sized lights in my current inventory. However, some of this length can be attributed to the strike bezels on either end:

FIT & FINISHThis is my first exposure to a FoxFury product and overall I'm reasonably impressed with the quality. There was some minor grittiness felt on the threads but nothing a quick cleaning and relube didn't solve.
The anodizing on my sample matches on all parts:Flash was intentionally used in the pic above to help highlight any finish mismatching that might be present but none were found.

The laser engraving is sharp and flawless on my sample:

I did discover some excess plastic fragment on the LED holder directly surrounding the XM-L:

Initially, I thought this contributed to some artifacts I found around the outer edges of the beam, but upon further investigation, it turns out that the cause was actually from the crenellations in the bezel.
[pics]

The threads are square-cut (trapezoidal really), and thread really smoothly, the only exception is where the tube meets the light engine since it's not anodized (but this only adds a trivial amount of friction to the feel):

UIThe UI is very straight forward in that there are but 3 modes: High-> Low -> Turbo Strobe (always sequentially in that order*) that is controlled via the forward clicky tail switch that also allows access to momentary on. However, the light needs to remain off for just over two seconds before being activated again otherwise it'll change mode yet again. These modes are memorized through battery changes.

- Voltage of the battery at the start and end of the test
- Current draw as taken right before the test (to come)
- Actual runtime until the battery cut out (first in HR and then in M so in the case of the RL3100, read this as 1.7 Hrs OR 100 Min)
- For testing on Max (in which case a fan was used), temperature: ambient, the head at start and the max it reached

Axis: X = Time in Min and Y = Relative Output

Axis: X = Time in Min and Y = Relative Output

Given its primary target demographic (first responders and LEO's), FoxFury mentioned the CheckMate was intentionally designed to be run non-regulated. The idea was to allow ample warning through diminishing light levels for the user to change the batteries.

Based on my revised runtime approach, I generally attempt to test mfg claims against whatever methodology they use. In this case, since FoxFury only specified the battery used* (primaries), I listed the runtimes achieved as time until light first drops below 50% of original output measured after 30 seconds. For the primaries, this was only 32min but I left it running to completely drain (under controlled conditions) and finally shut the light off after 4.5hrs at which point, it was roughly the equivalent of the Firefly mode on certain Thrunite lights.

On low (in which case, based on the current draw, I'm estimating the lumens to be approx. 43lms), there was noticeable flickering on my sample (as can be seen in the chart), but it's different than that of PWM (which I don't believe is used but will need to run through oscilliscope to be sure). I've escalated this to FoxFury and am awaiting their reply if this is noticed on other samples or limited to mine.
*FoxFury has not standardized on ANSI ratings yet.

TINT & BEAM PROFILE
The XM-L used in my sample is by far the whitest of the XM-L based lights in my collection. I was informed that another primary demographic for FoxFury products is the movie and film industries thus the tint will always be 6500K and 1D bin.

I unforutnately didn't lock the exposure on these shots but it should give you an idea of the color (which is pretty faithful to what my eyes saw) and the beam.

CONCLUSIONThe CheckMate is a very solid light that offers a no-muss/fuss & straightforward UI. The fit & finish is superb and ranks amongst the best of the lights I've tested. Given the primary demographic mentioned, I feel a different holster and a proper lanyard would be more appropriate but both are functional for their respective purposes as is. My only concern remains the flickering on low. It's not really noticeable outdoors but again, keeping the primary demographic in mind, I'd imagine it'd be distracting used indoors. I'm awaiting a reply from FoxFury on this and will post a follow up as soon as I hear back from them.

Re: FoxFury Rook CheckMate (XM-L T6) Review

Thx guys, have been away for a short while working on this massive indoor shots comparo so the shots for this light now added (search 12/11). As you can see, it's fairly white (definitely the most of the XM-L lights in my collection). Also as an update, FoxFury has responded that they haven't been able to reproduce the issues on L that I've been experiencing but they will continue to keep an eye on the situation.

Re: FoxFury Rook CheckMate (XM-L T6) Review

However, it's not easy to withdraw single-handed (sheathing is slightly easier once it's broken in) which may be a problem for LEO's who need quick access to the light.

Fantastic review, thank you, Turbo!

In response to the holster, have you come across a plain leather holster that accommodates the Checkmate? The only one that I can find seems to be the one that Bianchi has "customized" for the Checkmate, but $80-100 is a lot of money to spend on a flashlight holster. I was considering one of the streamlight ones, but the specs don't match up exactly and I don't want to drop $30 on one that I'm not 100% on. Thanks again!

Re: FoxFury Rook CheckMate (XM-L T6) Review

Thx and glad to see you finally breaking your silence! ;o)

I haven't come across any leather holsters that would fit but I am aware of a very well regarded custom maker on the forum (I think it's Thor's Hammer). If it helps, the squarish head is 37.7mm (1.48in) and total length is 148mm (5.82in) in case you want to go that route.

Re: FoxFury Rook CheckMate (XM-L T6) Review

Just wanted to "chime in" on the holster. I have been looking for a leather holster that would fit it for a while, something off the shelf would be best. Even with making trips to a couple of holster manufactures plants has proved naught. I have talked with a major leather company to have some made, but I have just not had the interest yet to do a run of 100.
( the big problems is, black or brown, basket-weave or plain leather, hi polish or dull, every dept in the US seems to use something different)
I am going to have some kydex samples made up next week, by a small custom maker as a test.
Wish I had a better answer for you, but I am working on it.
I am the LE/Mil sales manager for FoxFury based on the east coast.